Safety razor



@18,1936- WHBLACK v2,031,455

SAFETY RAZOR i Filed April 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1

WITNESSES INVENTOR 2 .Sheets-Sheet l2 ATTORNEYS I W. H. BLACK SAFETY RAZOR Filed April 17, 1935 Feb., I8, 1936.

l W a M W m WITNESSES 24%, g/

Patented Feb. 1s, 193e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to safety razors, and more particularly to that type of safety razor in which a flexible blade is clamped and flexed between a guard and cap.

An object is to provide this type of razor in which the cap is pivotally connected at one end to the guard and a blade clamp connected to the other end o-f the guard, and means provided to cause the clamp to swing from normal position clamping the blade to a position at substantial right angles to the guard and also cause the blade clamp to swing to a position substantially at right angles to the guard. For convenience of description, the normal position of the Vparts Where the blade is clamped between the cap and the guard will be hereinafter referred to as the closed position of the razor and the position of the cap and blade holder at substantial right angles to the guard will be hereinafter referred to as the open position of the razor.

A further object is to provide a razor of this character in which means movable within the handle of the razor functions to move the cap, the blade holder and blade from closed to open position and back to closed position.

AV further object is to so mount the blade clamp and provide operative means for engagement therewith which permits the blade to be turned over, that is, given a rotary or turning .movement of so that the blade is reversed. I have discovered that a blade rests if its position is changed from side to side every time after a shave, and the razor of this particular application accomplishes this movement'by mechanical means which permits the operation Without the necessity of touching the blade or its clamp with the fingers of the hand.

A further object is to provide a razor of this character in which the entire operation of opening and closing the razor and reversing the blade when in open position is accomplished through mechanical means manually operated.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in longitudinal section showing the razor in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the razor in open position;

Fig. 3 is an end View of the razor in closed position, the view looking at the right hand end of Fig. lj

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation showing the blade and its clamp;

Fig. 5 is a view in transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view taken on the 5 I line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a view in longitudinal section illustrating a modified form of razor with the razor in closed position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the 10 razor in open position; and

Fig. 9 is a view in longitudinal section on the staggered line 9--9 of Fig. 7.

Referring more particularly to the razor illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive of the drawings, A 15 represents the guard of the razor, B the blade, and C the cap which functions to clamp the blade between the same and the guard. The cap C is pivotally connected to one end of the guard by means o-f a link I. This link is secured to one 20 end of the cap by means of a pin 2 and this 'connecton between the link and the cap may be such as to afford a slight pivotal movement. The other end of the link is pivotally connected to the guard by means of a pin 3 which permits 25 n the cap to be swung from its normal position parallel to the guard to a position at substantially a right angle to the guard. A wire spring 4 is 'connected to the guard and engages intermediate its ends the outer portion of the link to hold the 30 cap in its normal operative position and return it to such position when permitted.

One end of the blade B is secured in a clamp 5 and this clamp is rotatably mounted in the free end of a link 6 and has fixed thereto a pinion 'l for a purpose which will more full hereinafter appear. This link 6 is pivotally connected to one end of the guard by means of a pin 8 and a spring 9, similar to the spring 4, engages the outer portion of the link 1 normally holding the clamp 5 and blade B in position parallel to the guard and adapted to return the parts to said position when permitted.

The 'cap C is provided with a central internal screw-threaded socket Ill and with pins I I at opposite sides thereof, said socket and pins adapted to enter suitable openings I2 in the blade B.

D represents a tubular handle which is integral with or fixed to the guard, and in this tubular 50 handle D a tube I3 is mounted to turn. This tube I3 projects beyond the end of the handle and is provided with a milled head I4 to afford a finger grip. A pin I5 projects from the tube and is movable in a slot or recess I6 in the end of the handle 55 which limits the turning movement of the tube in the handle.

A cam I1 is secured on the upper end of the tube I3 and has two working faces I8 and I9 respectively. The working face I 8 is appreciably longer than the working face I9 and operates in advance of the shorter working face when the cam is turned counter-clockwise with reference to Fig. 6 of the drawings. This cam I1 engages two aligned pins 20 and 2I respectively which are movable longitudinally in the guard and are provided with coiled springs 22 which press the pins inwardly and hold them operatively against the faces of the cam. 'I'he outer end of the pin `2Il engages the link I and the outer end of the pin 2| engages the link 6, so that when the cam is turned in one direction by the turning movement of the tube I3 the outward movement of these pins will cause the cap C and the blade holder 5 to be swung to their open positions. When the tube is turned in the reverse direction it will cause the cam to turn and permit the pins to be moved inwardly by their springs 22, and the springs 4 and 9 respectively engaging the links I and 1 will return the cap C and the blade holder 5 to their former positions.

Within the tube I 3 a spindle 23 is mounted and this spindle projects beyond the free end of the tube I3 or rather the enlargement I4 thereon and has a milled enlargement 24 at its extremity located against the enlargement I4. As the cam I1 is of greater diameter than the tube I3, it will hold the tube against outward movement and the enlargement I4 on the tube will hold the tube against inward movement. A pin 25 on the spindle 23 rides in an internal annular groove 26 in the enlargement I4 and holds the spindle against longitudinal displacement. This spindle 23 projects through the guard A and at its extremity is screw-threaded as shown at 21 to engage in the internally threaded socket I0 on the cap.

The spindle 23 within the tube I3 and also within the guard A is out or otherwise shaped to form a pinion 28 which meshes with the inner gear of a gear train 29 which is housed within a suitable recess in the guard. The outer or end gear of the train 29 extends slightly beyond the guard and is in position to engage and mesh with the gear 1 of the blade clamp 5 when this blade clamp is in its extreme open position as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The operation of the razor above described is as follows. Assuming the parts to be in the closed position shown in Fig. l, the operator first turns the spindle 23 sufiiciently to unscrew the upper end thereof from the socket I0 and this operation causes the cap C to assume the slightly angular position indicated by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 1. The operator next turns the tube I3 which causes the cam I1 thereon to turn and this cam successively projects iirst the pin 2l) and next the pin 2| and as these pins are projected they exert pressure on the links I and 6 respectively, causing the cap C first to move to its open position, which movement is followed by the movement of the blade clamp 5 to its open position. As these parts reach their open positions the pins 20 and 2l ride over their edges as clearly shown in Fig. 2, locking the links in their horizontal positions and in so doing the pinion 1 on the blade clamp 5 is caused to mesh with the gear train 29. 'Ihe operator can then turn the spindle 23, causing the gears in the train 29 to turn and transmit motion to the pinion I1, causing the blade clamp 5 and blade B to turn within an arc of 180, thus reversing the position of the blade. The blade can of course be turned in either direction and completely around if desired.

The operator then turns the tube I3 in a direction opposite to its initial movement, thus turning the cam I8 and permitting the pins 20 and 2I t0 retract, and as these pins retract springs 4 and 9 respectively pressing against the links I and 6-respectively returnV the blade holder and blade to a position above the guard and also return the cap C to a position above the blade with itsrpins II extending through the opening I2 in the blade and the socket I0 also extending through the opening in the blade and in position to receive the screw-threaded end 21 of the spindle 23, which is then turned to cause the clamping action of the cap against the blade to flex it and clamp it against the guard.

It is of course to be understood that the sleeve I3 is turned by grasping the milled enlargement I4 between the thumb and finger and that the spindle 23 is turned by grasping the enlargement 24 between the thumb and finger. During both operations the razor is held by grasping the handle D with one hand while the movable parts are operated by the other hand. In order that the sleeve may turn without interfering with the meshing of the gear train it is of course necessary to provide a slot as indicated at 30 in the sleeve I3- to admit the inner gear of the train 29, and as this turning movement of the sleeve is limited by the pin I5 in the slot I6 this slot I6 can be formed of the desired length to insure proper operation.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings, A represents the guard, B the blade and C the clamp of the razor. A tubular handle 3| is xed to the guard and has a tube 32 thereon which is free to turn and which is held against longitudinal movement by a pin 33 on the tube engaging in an internal groove 34 in the handle, and a milled enlargement 35 is provided on the end of the tube to facilitate its turning operation. The tube 32 is internally screw-threaded and engages a threaded stud 36 at its upper portion so that by turning the tube the stud is caused to move longitudinally. This stud 36 carries a cross bar 31 which is xed in its intermediate portion to the stud and is movably housed within the guard.

The cap C at one end has an arm 38 located at right angles thereto and pivotally connected near its lower end as shown at 39 to the guard. 'Ihis arm 38 has a finger 40 projecting inwardly and at right angles thereto in the path of movement of one end of the bar 31. At the opposite end of the guard to that where the arm 38 is pivoted a link 40 is located and is pivoted intermediate its ends as shown at 4I to the guard. 'I'his link 40 has an inwardly projecting nger 42 in the path of the movement of a downwardly offset portion 43 of the bar 31. 'I'he link 4I) at its upper free end provides rotary mounting for a blade clamp 42 which has a milled knob or head 43' thereon to permit a manual turning of the blade clamp and the blade when the razor is in open position as shown in Fig. 8.

The operation of this modified form of razor is as follows. Assuming the parts to be in the closed position illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the operator turns the tube 32 by means of the milled enlargement 35, causing the stud 36 to move upward, carrying with it the bar 31. The left hand end of this bar 31 shown in Fig. 7

engages the finger 40, causing the cap C to swing upwardly and out of the way of the blade ln a continued upward movement of the bar 31, causing the downward offset portion 43 at the other end of the bar to engage the finger 42 on link 40, causing said link to swing on its pivot and swing the blade holder and blade to its operi position.

This open position of the razor is shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and when in this position the operator can grasp the knob 43' and turn the blade holder and blade around or over through an arc of so that when the blade returns to its normal position in the razor it will have been reversed or turned over and when the tube 32 is turned in the direction opposite to that above described it will cause the stud 36 to be moved downwardly and the ends of the bar 31 will engage rst the link 40 to swing the blade holder and blade inwardly and downwardly and next engage the lower end of the arm 38 to cause the cap C to swing downwardly on top of the blade and bring the parts to closed position.

It is of course to be understood that my improved mechanism may be provided to hold the blade against lateral displacement, and I have indicated for the purpose pins 44 on the cap which project through a suitable opening or openings in the blade.

While I have illustrated what I believe to be preferred embodiments of my invention, it is obvious that various changes might be made'in the general form and arrangement of parts Without departing from the invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the specific details set forth but consider myself at liberty to make such changes as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A safety razor, including a guard, a tubular handle fixed to the guard, a cap pivotally connected to one end of the guard, a blade clamp pivotally connected to the other end of the guard, and mechanical means constituting a part of the razor and adapted to2 positively move both the cap and blade clamp on their pivots and other means in the handle for operating said first mentioned means.

2. A safety razor, including a guard, a tubular handle fixed to the guard, a cap pivotally connected to one end of the guard, a blade clamp pivotally connected to the other end of the guard, mechanical means constituting a part of the razor and adapted to positively move both the cap and blade clamp on their pivots and other means in the handle for operating said first mentioned means, and other means for turning the blade clamp to reverse a blade therein.

3. A safety razor, including a guard, a tubular handle xed to the guard, a blade clamp pivotally connected to one end of the guard, a cap pivotally connected to the other end of the guard, a tube having rotary mounting in the handle, a cam on the tube, and pins adapted to be projected by the cam to swing the cap and clamp to positions at right angles to the guard when the tube is turned in the handle.

4. A safety razor, including a guard, a tubular handle fixed to the guard, a blade clamp pivotally connected to one end of the guard, a cap pivotally connected to the other end of the guard, a tube having rotary mounting in the handle, a cam on the tube, pins adapted to be projected by the cam to swing the cap and clamp to positions at right angles to the guard when the tube is turned in the handle, and springs adapted to return the blade clamp and cap to position parallel to the guard when said pins are disengaged by the cam.

5. A safety razor, including a guard, a tubular handle xed to the guard, a blade clamp pivotally connected to one end of the guard, a cap pivotally connected to the other end of the guard, a' tube having rotary mounting in the handle, a cam on the tube, pins adapted to be projected by the cam to swing the cap and clamp to positions at right angles to the guard when the tube is turned in the handle, springs adapted to return the blade clamp and cap to position parallel to the guard when said pins are disengaged by the cam, a rotary spindle in the tube, a pinion on the blade clamp, and a gear train in the guard operated by the spindle and adapted to turn the blade clamp when the pinion is in mesh with the gear train.

6. A safety razor, including a guard, a handle fixed to the guard, a blade clamp and cap pivotally connected to opposite ends of the guard, means in the handle to move the cap and clamp about their pivots, and additional means in the handle to turn the clamp to reverse a blade therein when freed from between the cap and guard.

7. A safety razor, including a guard, a tubular handle xed to the guard, a cap, a link pivotally connecting one end of the cap with one end of the guard, a spring engaging the link intended to hold the cap in operative position, a second link pivoted to the other end of the guard, a rotary blade clamp carried by the link, a spring exerting pressure against the last mentioned link normally holding the blade clamp and blade in operative position, a pinion fixed to turn with the blade clamp, a pair of alined spring pressed pins in the guard adapted to engage the links, a rotary spindle in the handle, a cam adapted to engage the rods, a gear train in the guard, a pinion on the spindle adapted to engage the train and said train being so located that when the blade clamp is swung to vertical position this pinion will be in mesh with the gear train, a tube around the spindle in the handle to which the cam is fixed, and milled enlargements on the ends of the spindle and tube.

8. A safety razor, including a guard, a tubular handle fixed to the guard, a cap, a link pivotally connecting -one end of the cap with one end of the guard, a spring engaging the link intended to hold the cap in operative position, a second link pivoted to the other end of the guard, a rotary blade clamp carried by the link, a spring exerting pressure against the last mentioned link normally holding the blade clamp and blade in operative position, a pinion fixed to turn with the blade clamp, a pair of alined spring pressed pins in the guard adapted to engage the links, a rotary spindle in the handle, a cam adapted to engage the rods, a gear train in the guard, a pinion on the spindle adapted to engage the train and said train being so located that when the blade clamp is swung to lvertical position this pinion will be in mesh with the gear train, a tube around the spindle in the handle to which the cam is fixed, and milled enlargements on the ends of the spindle and tube, said sp-indle having screw-threaded engagement with the cap, and means for limiting the turning movement of the sleeve.

WILLIAM HARMAN BLACK. 

